April 3-28, Exhibit: "Beyond a Means to an End," by ceramic artist Benjamin Watkins, opening reception: 5-8 p.m. April 3, at VagnHall Galleri in the Blacksmith Shop, Bishop Hill.

April 4-May 16, 41st annual Town and Country Show at Buchanan Center for the Arts, 64 Public Square, Monmouth. Students grades K-12 in Warren, Henderson and Mercer counties participate. (309) 734-3033.

April 5, Ecumenical Singers Easter Concert, 3:30 p.m., at Immaculate Conception Church in Monmouth. The ICS Children's Choir will also perform. No admission fee; free will offering will be taken. Public invited.

April 9, Concert: The Beach Boys with special guests The Boat Drunks, 7 p.m., i Wireless Center. $35-$65. (309) 764-2000.

LITERARY

April 2, Douglas L. Wilson, co-director of the Lincoln Studies Center at Knox College, will give the 2009 Burkhardt Lecture, "Lincoln and Language," at 4 p.m., in the Alumni Room, Old Main, Knox College. Free. 341-7337.

April 3, Reading: Joan Burbick, scholar-in-residence at Knox College and author of "Gun Show Nation: Gun Culture and American Democracy," reads from her own works, 4 p.m., Alumni Room, Old Main, Knox College. Free. 341-7337.

April 2-9, Galesburg Advantage, Community Visioning Assembly sessions, 6 p.m., at the Donald Crist Student Center, Carl Sandburg College, Building "B," 2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd. Residents encouraged to participate through idea sharing, open dialogue and panel discussions. April 2: Celebrating Community: Tourism and Downtown Development; April 9: Cultivating a Sense of Place: The Rules of a Community and Neighborhood Attraction. Reservations can be made with Jenni Moser, 345-3628 or jmoser@ci.galesburg.il.us. Refer to the session schedule at www.ci.galesburg.il.us for more information.

April 2, 9 and 16, Basic Word and WordArt Computer Class, 10 a.m., at Warren County Public Library, 62 Public Square, Monmouth. Introductory class in Microsoft Word and learn to make posters using WordArt. (309) 734-3166.

April 4, Memories Celebration Day, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., at Center Court in Sandburg Mall. Register for table space and bring your lap top with digital photos, or photos and supplies for your album and memories celebration projects. Registration for table space is $15, or $20 if received after March 30; with $5 from each registration to benefit Make-a-Wish Foundation. For more information or to register, contact Ellen McRell at 289-4733 or www.mycmsite.com/ellenmcrell.

April 4, Sassafras Festival, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Ellisville Opera House on Main Street in Ellisville. Activities include Ham and Bean with cornbread meal for $5; free sassafras tea; craft, antique and collectable market; self guided tours of Opera House and Ellisville Post Office Museum; and entertainment: Country Duo plus Cheyenne, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

April 4, Father/Daughter Dance, 6-8 p.m., at Abingdon Middle/High School Cafeteria. One adult male with unlimited number of "daughters." $5 advance registration per group or $7 at door. Casual dress. Door prizes; music by MS Entertainment; refreshments; group photos. Reservation forms at all Abingdon school offices. Information, Bonnie Froelich at (309) 462-2905 or Don Smith at (309) 462-3353.

April 7, Galesburg Civic Art Center's Bowls of Soup, 5-7:30 p.m., at Galesburg Community Center, 150 E. Simmons St. Event features ceramic bowls created by local potters, tasty soups made by local restaurants and music of Sway Breezy from 6-7:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 in advance or $20 at door. Ticket price includes a soup supper and ceramic bowl of your choice; number of tickets sold is limited to number of bowls available; tickets may be purchased at the Galesburg Civic Art Center, Budde's Pizza, Chez Willy's, Dove Tail Arts, Innkeepers Coffee or Q's Cafe. 342-7415.

April 7, Computer class: Basic Internet: one of three computer classes being offered especially for job hunters preparing for the Carl Sandburg College Job Fair on April 16, 10 a.m., at Galesburg Public Library, 40 E. Simmons St. Registration fee of $1, payable at the library's reference desk, required to reserve seat. 343-6118.

April 8, Computer class: Basic E-Mail: one of three computer classes being offered especially for job hunters preparing for the Carl Sandburg College Job Fair on April 16, 10 a.m., at Galesburg Public Library, 40 E. Simmons St. Registration fee of $1, payable at the library's reference desk, required to reserve seat. 343-6118.

April 9, Computer class: Resume Success: one of three computer classes being offered especially for job hunters preparing for the Carl Sandburg College Job Fair on April 16, 10 a.m., at Galesburg Public Library, 40 E. Simmons St. Registration fee of $1, payable at the library's reference desk, required to reserve seat. 343-6118.

April 11, United Sports Boosters' annual Alumni Basketball, beginning at 9 a.m., at United Field House in Alexis. Admission: $2 adults and $1 for students for a full day. Concessions available. Information, Lisa Powell, (309) 482-3340.

April 4-5, Orpheum Theatre Spring 2009 Red Carpet Series: Monmouth College Crimson Masque presents "Our American Cousin" at the Orpheum Theatre. April 4: 7:30 p.m.; April 5: 2 p.m. Talks will also be given from 2-4:30 p.m. prior to the April 4 performance: Stacy Cordery on "The Life of Mary Todd Lincoln" and Bill Wallace on "A Production History of 'Our American Cousin'." Tickets through Orpheum Box Office, 342-2299.